The truth, in my opinion - as validated by my thirty-plus years of deep meditation experience - is that if we allow (not force) the mind to shift its movement away from external focus, then it will find the proper direction in which to 'wander' - i.e. inwards.

This is an important component of an effective meditation technique.

Attention will then naturally flow towards more and more, with the mind knowing instinctively that by taking the inward 'path' it will find what it is really looking for - absolute bliss consciousness - located in the transcendent field from which all thought emerges.

The spontaneous journey of the mind

If the mind is allowed to take this inward route (notice, I said 'allowed'), then as the attention spontaneously experiences more subtle levels of mental activity, each state is found by the mind to be more appealing, more pleasant, more nourishing.

So without any effort on our part, or controlling, or mental discipline and the like, the mind effortlessly and willingly settles down towards the each progressively subtle level of functioning.

This 'allowing' on the part of the meditator enables the mind to move our conscious attention automatically to deeper and deeper levels of consciousness, and more and more towards stillness.

Control and effort are just sooo last century!

The mind doesn't need to be controlled and cajoled in order to move towards stillness. In fact it doesn't like to be. That would conflict with its natural preference for freedom.

If we simply point our attention in the right direction, effortlessly and without sustained focus, then our mind will find its own course and go for the pot of honey, all of its own accord.

Depending on how much stress is in its way, the mind will navigate its way towards the inner ocean of happiness, or bliss - every time, without fail.

The mind and the mountain stream

This is something like a mountain stream that is caught half-way down the mountain due to some rocks that are blocking its way and stopping it from flowing downwards.

If you want the stream to flow down to the bottom of the mountain, one way is to dig long trenches and construct little dam walls all the way down the mountainside to force it in a certain direction until it reaches the bottom of the mountain. This would take much time and effort on your part.

Alternatively, you could just shift its initial flow direction to release it from behind the rock, and then let it follow its own course down the mountainside.

It will go towards the bottom of the mountain, and it will follow its natural course, drawn ever downwards by gravity. The stream will effortlessly navigate its way past stones and trees and other obstacles in its path downwards towards its goal.

That is how the mind works when we use the skill of allowing. Just give your mind the correct start and it will navigate its own way towards its source, removing obstacles (stresses) from its path.

Three effective and effortless meditation techniques

It is on the basis of the above considerations that I have honed my own personal preferences down to three effective and effortless meditation techniques that I can vouch for. These are described briefly on the next page.

Meditation & HappinessOne of the important benefits of meditation is that it takes us to the source of happiness within. With regular meditation we can therefore progressively unlock more of our inner authentic happiness.

Types Of Meditation DescribedAlthough there may be many techniques or methods of meditation, they can probably all really be boiled down to three or four types of meditation practice.

Transcendental Meditation and Yogic FlyingFrom my personal experiences of Transcendental Meditation and the Yogic Flying technique, part of the TM-Sidhi programme, I can offer some interesting insights and comments.

Transcendental Meditation - My Personal ViewsTranscendental Meditation elicits rave reports from many of its practitioners, and also some criticism from others. Here are my own views based on my years of experience with TM and the TM-Sidhis.

Conscious Mental RestBorn out of my 30 years of advanced meditation practice, I discovered Conscious Mental Rest, a 100% natural and most effective method that allows the mind to go effortlessly towards stillness.

Physical Activity Is EssentialToday, the nature of work has far less physical activity than in past generations. More people today spend their work week sitting down: working at a desk, at a computer, and so on.

Nutrition Is Essential For HappinessPoor nutrition does not support happiness. Yet a high proportion of the food available these days consists of manufactured and highly processed substances.

Mental Stress – CMR Can HelpMental stress is a major problem today. Two periods of Conscious Mental Rest - outside the sleep period - every day can really be of benefit.

Guided Meditation Is How CMR Is TaughtA guided meditation session is used in teaching this course of meditation for beginners. This enables you to learn meditation - i.e. my Conscious Mental Rest - effortlessly and with confidence.